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Traditionally, all professional matches have had two umpires on the field, one standing at the end opposite the striking batsman's end (behind the stumps) and one at square leg. While on field, this continues to be so, there are now a number of off-field umpires as well. The third umpire in cricket is a special umpire who has the task of monitoring the game on television and is referred to by the umpire in the middle at his/her discretion. There may also be fourth and fifth umpires whose task is also to help in the conducting of the game in a proper and legal manner. These umpires are also replacements for the umpires in the middle if required.
Professional matches also have a match referee, who complements the role of the umpires. The match referee makes no decisions relevant to the outcome of the game, but instead enforces the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct, ensuring the game is played in a reputable manner.
Umpires are sometimes jokingly referred to as the men in white (usually umpires wear long white coats), or other less affectionate terms.
When a ball is being bowled, one umpire (the bowler's end umpire) stands behind the stumps at the non-striker's end (that is, the end from which the ball is being bowled), which gives him a view straight down the pitch. The other (the striker's end umpire) takes the position that he feels gives him the best view of the play. Through long tradition, this is usually square leg - in line with the stumps and a few yards to the batsman's leg side - hence he is sometimes known as the square leg umpire. However, if a fielder takes up position at square leg or somewhere so as to block his view, then the umpire must move somewhere else - typically either a short distance or to point on the opposite side of the batsman.
It is up to the umpires to keep out of the way of both the ball and the players. In particular, if the ball is hit and the players attempt a run, then the umpire behind the stumps will generally retreat to the side, in case the fielding side attempts a run out at that end.
At the end of each over, the two umpires will exchange positions. Because the field switches round between overs, this means they only move a short distance.
During play, the umpire behind the stumps makes the decisions, which he mainly indicates using arm movements. Some decisions must be instantaneous, whereas for others he may pause to think or discuss it with the square leg umpire - especially if the latter may have had a better view.
These decisions have an important effect on the play and are signalled straight away.
First of all, an umpire will not declare a man out unless asked to, though a batsman may walk if he knows himself to be out; this is nowadays rare, especially in Tests and first-class matches. If they think a man is out, the fielding side must appeal, by asking "How's that?" or "How was he?" Appeals are usually shouted loudly enough that the words cannot be made out and may be more similar to a celebration than a question. It has even happened that a player was too busy appealing to stop a ball, and so allowed the batsmen to get extra runs.
The umpire's response, which may take some time, is either to raise his index finger to indicate that the man is out, or to shake his head and say "not out".
Either umpire may declare a ball to be improperly bowled, calling it a no ball. In practice, the bowler's end umpire generally calls for the bowler overstepping the line and the other for the bowler's arm not being straight. The signal is to hold one arm out horizontally and shout "no-ball" or just "no"; the idea being that the batsman is aware of the no-ball's being bowled.